Do Not Miss the Lifetime Opportunity!
By H H Maa Purnananda
“Yah Shaastravidhimutsrijya Vartate Kaamaaratah; Na Sa Siddhimavaapnoti Na Sukham Na Paraam Gatim. Tasmaatshaastram Pramaanam Te Kaaryaakaarya Vyavasthitau; Gnyatva Shaastravidhaanoktam Karm Kartumihaarhasi.” (Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta – 16/23&24)
In today’s materialistically inspired and oriented world, rarely does one get an opportunity to perform or even witness an auspicious act that is ordained by our Holy Scriptures. One such major temple ceremony is Kumbhaabhishekam atop the Vimaanam of a Temple that is to be performed between 12th and 15th years of the consecration.
Kumbh or Kalash, filled with Holy waters, having a cluster of mango leaves and a coconut at its mouth, signifies sacredness, fullness, the Sat (Eternal) and Chid (Knowledge) aspects of Brahman, the Self-effulgent Reality. Thus it is termed as Purna Kumbh as per our Shaastra-s. It is offered with Sacred Vedic Mantra-s to the Saints, Sages, Sannyaasins and Sadguru-s while receiving Them respectfully.
When placed atop the Vimaanam, the Kalash is believed to draw Divine energies from all directions that get converged and infused into the Idol in the Garbhgriha right under the Vimaanam, energizing the Deity as well as the Temple structure.
So what is the significance of this particular Sacred Ceremony termed as Kumbhaabhishekam? Over the years, after completing the maintenance of the Temple structure and the Kalash or Kumbh atop, Kumbhaabhishekam is performed on Vimaanam and Pradhaan Vigrah (Presiding Idol), for purifying and re-energizing the temple, by pouring Holy Waters from worshipped pots (Kalasha-s), with chants of Ved Mantra-s, dispelling negativities and bestowing Spiritual benefits, prosperity and well-being to the worshipers.
In the given Shlok, Bhagwaan says that he who disobeys the Shaastra-s and acts under the impulse of his desires, neither does he succeed, nor does he find peace within; and hence, to fulfil the very purpose of all actions, whether sacred or secular, which is for attaining the ultimate liberation, remains out of question! Today, the material approach of people, instigated by endless wants and desires, seems quite like what Bhagwaan has mentioned. In fact, the Lord advises that one should act without passionate desires, greed, anger and so on, as explained in our Holy Texts in details; which would be the right way of action as per the “Scriptural injunctions” (Shaastra Pramaan). Therefore, whenever any such auspicious ceremony is carried out here at SISS, it is for each one of us to try to serve and offer our best, remaining well-focused on all of what we learn from our Scriptures at the Holy-feet of Sree Guru Parampara. The seekers are truly privileged to be blessed with such an opportunity!
On Saturday, 14th February’26, the auspicious lunar day of Shani Pradosh, the Sacred Ceremony of Kumbhaabhishekam on the top of Vimaanam of Sree Ishwar Darshan Temple here at SISS will be carried out with Vedpath. This will include Homam and transferring Divine energies to the Kalash, Kumbhaabhishekam (pouring sanctified water) over the Temple from the top of the Vimaanam, followed by Abhishekam of Sree Ishwar, and culminating with Maha Aarti and Maha Prasaad. The environment would be filled with Holy chants and the hearts of the fortunate devotees present for the occasion would surely be filled with reverence and abundance of Spirituality.
Why on this particular day of Shani Pradosh? As per the Hindu Almanac, the 13th lunar day of every fortnight of the month is termed as Pradosh, symbolizing Apasmaar, the dwarf demon under the foot of Lord Nataraaj. Apasmaar (literally means loss of memory) is the embodiment of Spiritual ignorance, Self-forgetfulness and ego. This demon is constantly subdued by Lord Shiv, as Nataraaj (the Cosmic Dancer), symbolizing the constant struggle against self-inflicted egocentric ignorance to attain True Knowledge of the Self. Hence, the day of Pradosh is considered to be auspicious for the seekers and devotees.
Again, the day of Shani Pradosh or Maha Pradosh, specifically when Pradosh falls on a Saturday, is even more powerful for removal of the negative impact of sinful thoughts and acts, and also the impact of planetary (Shani) afflictions (Dosha-s). On this day, the worship of Lord Shiv and Nandi, His Holy Vehicle (Vaahan), is believed to bless the seekers with Prashaanti (inner peace) and Moksh (liberation).
Let us assemble on this auspicious day for the Sacred Ceremony at SISS and enrich ourselves further en route our Spiritual journey, not to miss this lifetime opportunity!